Board extends Pope’s Creek deadline and approves separate 39‑acre Pomona Road solar project

The Board of Supervisors took two separate actions on utility‑scale solar matters: it extended the special‑exception deadline for a previously approved Pope’s Creek Solar project and approved a 39‑acre solar array on Pomona Road with applicant‑proposed conditions.

Pope’s Creek Solar LLC: Staff summarized that the Pope’s Creek approval had a deadline to begin county permits; developers requested extra time to complete state permitting and site plan work. The board voted to grant a three‑year extension to April 8, 2029, noting extended permitting timelines at state and county levels had made the original timetable difficult to meet.

Pomona Road solar facility: Separately, the board reviewed a special‑exception application for a 39‑acre fixed‑panel facility on a 231.81‑acre parcel in the Simpson district. Staff said the design intentionally avoids upland wetlands, provides setbacks from an intermittent stream, and offered proffers including an annual tax payment estimate. Planning commission action on the Pomona Road application had been split; the commission did find the project consistent with the county comprehensive plan under Code Section 15.2‑2232. After discussion and proposed conditions, the board approved the Pomona Road solar facility limited to a 39‑acre array and referenced applicant‑provided conditions.

Votes: The extension for Pope’s Creek was approved unanimously by supervisors present. The Pomona Road special exception passed after a motion to approve the 39‑acre layout with the applicant’s conditions; the chair and supervisors recorded aye votes.

Ending: Staff will track the Pope’s Creek extended timeline and the Pomona Road project permitting; conditions approved with the Pomona Road facility will be incorporated into the permitting and tax calculations will be applied once assessed.